The Insaf Barakh Kidney and General Hospital says it will perform free cleft lip and palate surgeries every month.
The first batch of 20 cases will undergo operation conducted on Mar 29. Patients can register to avail the service by calling 9350180 or 01716306631. This facial birth defect is prevalent in Bangladesh, though the exact cause of clefts is not known. It is believed that genetic and environmental factors play a role. But deformity attracts social stigma in villages. Mothers are often blamed for doing “something wrong” during pregnancy, causing harm to her baby. Doctors say most people are unaware that a simple surgery can correct the deformity.
